Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime sharing; follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates. Click to Follow us

According to Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun’s decision, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a warning that any officer discovered escorting or protecting Very Important Persons (VIPs) will be arrested.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, December 2, Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin delivered the warning, clarifying that all officers formerly assigned to VIP protection tasks have been completely withdrawn and that enforcement is still in place.

“The enforcement is on. The IGP gave the directive that any police officer found escorting VIPs be arrested because, definitely, he is on illegal duty. Every one of them has been recalled,” Hundeyin said.

The rule is being vigorously enforced at crucial places, Hundeyin continued.

“The IGP ordered the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit to go to the Abuja airport and station his men there to arrest any police officer found escorting VIPs. He gave the same order to the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State to go to the Lagos airport and arrest any police officer escorting VIPs. That’s how seriously we take this,” he said.

Although most VIPs no longer receive police escorts, Hundeyin noted that certain public figures are nonetheless legally entitled to police protection.

“Yes, we have withdrawn police from VIPs, but I want you to know that there are certain government officials that are statutory entitled to police officers and would retain their police protection till we get further clearer directives from the presidency,” he said, citing governors and judges as examples.

President Bola Tinubu’s order to reassign policemen to core policing duties in the face of growing national insecurity prompted the removal of police escorts.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is now expected to provide security for VIPs.

The strategy, according to presidential spokeswoman Bayo Onanuga, intends to reallocate police resources to vital law enforcement, particularly in rural areas where police presence is scarce.

The statement coincides with Tinubu’s declaration of a national state of security emergency to address the rising number of terrorist attacks and kidnappings.

The President authorized an increase in police and military recruiting as part of the reaction; the police are expected to add 20,000 additional personnel, bringing the total to 50,000.

During a meeting with senior police officers in Abuja, Egbetokun revealed the information, stressing that the presidential order gives him complete authority to carry out the command without hindrance.

Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it. 
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.